Alderson and Teibert make final Canadian Olympic qualifying roster

The Canadian Soccer Association (CSA) announced today that Vancouver Whitecaps FC midfielders Bryce Alderson and Russell Teibert have made Canada’s final 20-player roster for the upcoming 2012 CONCACAF Men's Olympic Qualifying tournament, which runs from March 22 to April 2. Canada's three group matches will be played in Nashville, Tennessee, on March 22 (against El Salvador), March 24 (USA) and March 26 (Cuba).

This is Teibert’s second call-up to Canada’s U-23 squad after participating in a two-week training camp with the squad in early 2011. Alderson, meanwhile, makes the jump to the U-23 Olympic level after captaining Canada at last year’s FIFA U-17 World Cup in Mexico and participating in a 10-day training camp with Canada’s U-20 national team last December.

Fonseca’s squad for the tournament also includes three former members of Whitecaps FC. Midfielder Philippe Davies was part of Vancouver’s inaugural Major League Soccer squad in 2011, while striker Marcus Haber played for the ‘Caps at the North American second division level in 2009 and 2010 before joining his current club in Scottish Premier League side St. Johnstone FC. Haber is the lone returning player from Canada’s last Olympic qualifying campaign in 2008. Fellow forward Randy Edwini-Bonsu graduated from the Whitecaps FC Residency program before making several appearances for the 'Caps first team from 2008 to 2010. The 21-year old now plays for German 2nd division club Eintracht Braunschweig.

Coach Fonseca said the team is looking forward to the challenge at the 2012 CONCACAF Men's Olympic Qualifying. Canada, Cuba, El Salvador and USA make up Group A (Nashville, TN) while Honduras, Mexico, Panama and Trinidad and Tobago make up Group B (Carson, CA). The semi-final matches on March 31 (A1 v B2 and B1 v A2) in Kansas, KS will determine the two CONCACAF representatives for the London 2012 Men's Olympic Football Tournament.

Canada have previously appeared in two Men's Olympic Football Tournaments. They were hosts at the 1976 Olympics in Montreal before finishing fifth at the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles, California. Canada won the men’s soccer gold medal at the St. Louis Olympics in 1904.